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New Library Becomes Issue in San Diego Mayoral RaceSan Diego Mayor Dick Murphy’s plans to build a $150-million downtown library have become an issue in the city’s tightly contested mayoral race. During an October 26 debate, challenger Ron Roberts, a member of the county board of supervisors, called for the project to be postponed until the city gets its “fiscal house in order,” the San Diego Union-Tribune reported October 27.City Councilwoman Donna Frye, running as a write-in candidate in the November 2 election, said she would like a new main library but believes the city’s fiscal crisis may force a delay. Facing a pension-fund deficit of at least $1.17 billion, San Diego has already made deep cuts in services, including reductions in hours at the central library. In the debate, Murphy defended his plan, saying “it would be a tragedy to give up our dream.” Calling the current 50-year-old, rundown central library “a disgrace to our city,” he argued that the new facility could be built without spending general fund money by obtaining funding from the state, the city’s downtown redevelopment agency, and private donors. The San Diego Police Officers Association recently urged Murphy to postpone construction of the new library in favor of hiring more officers and police cruisers. Posted October 29, 2004. |
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